Marijuanas Legal States Legalizing Weed

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES On a Ever Expanding List.

In what states is medical marijuana legal?

Marijuanas Legal States are numerous. 29 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico have legalized medical and/or recreational use of marijuana. Each state has different rules and regulations on how the medical marijuana is dispensed. Many states also enable patients to cultivate a limited amount of marijuana in their homes.

How many states have medical cannabis?

29 states and Washington, D.C. currently have laws legalizing medical marijuana on the books.

In states where medical cannabis is not legal, are other forms of marijuana derivatives legal, such as CBD?

Many states which have not legalized cannabis have laws on the books that legalize CBD. Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming all have legalized the use of cannabis extracts containing CBD to treat severe and debilitating conditions such as seizures or epilepsy. Other states, such as Idaho, Texas, or Oklahoma, have not legalized medical marijuana or marijuana derivative use of any kind.

What states have legal recreational cannabis?

Although medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, many states have been reluctant to legalize the smoking of marijuana and prefer instead to legalize prescription cannabis medicines. The states that have legalized the use of recreational cannabis are Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In other states, it is only legal to obtain a certain amount of marijuana for medical purposes only and only through the approval of a licensed primary care provider.

In what states is medical marijuana legal?

The states in which medical marijuana is legal are: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Read on to find out more about marijuana laws and legalization in each state.

When and how did medical marijuana become legal in medical marijuana states?

Most states legalized medical marijuana through ballot initiatives. Medical marijuana was also approved by ballot initiative in the District of Columbia, whose budget is controlled by Congress. In DC, legalization efforts stalled due to the criticism of the legalization by federal lawmakers, but the first DC resident obtained marijuana from a DC-run dispensary in 2013. A few states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana through ballot initiatives as well.

What’s legal and what are the limitations of legal use?

While state law has made medical marijuana use legal in 29 of 50 states, federal law classifies marijuana as an illegal drug. Therefore, federal law enforcement officers may arrest anyone on federal lands for possession or use of any amount of marijuana. Marijuana consumption and use must also happen outside of public areas. Certain states allow the cultivation of marijuana plants in residences, but there are limitations on this as well, such as a maximum number of plants or a maximum number of mature or flowering plants allowed to be maintained at one time.

Selling marijuana is illegal in all states except by a licensed medical or recreational marijuana dispensary that is approved by the state. Possessing more than the legal upper limit of marijuana as specified by the state is also illegal. Federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance according to the Controlled Substances Act, so it is illegal to transport marijuana across state lines, even if the states traveled through have all legalized the medical or recreational use of marijuana.

State and federal law prohibit the use of marijuana, alcohol, or any other mind-altering substances while operating a car, boat, or other vehicles. Driving under the influence of cannabis, alcohol, or other mind-altering substances is also illegal.

What you need to qualify for medical cannabis?

To qualify for medical cannabis, most states require registration with the state’s medical marijuana registry or system. This typically requires the approval of a physician and the filing of an application which may include the submission of a drivers’ license, photo, and/or application fee in addition to a written statement from the patient’s primary health care provider. In some cases, caregivers of patients may be able to join the medical marijuana system as well.

Read on to learn more about medical marijuana legalization rules and regulations in each state.

Marijuanas Legal States: District of Columbia

Both recreational and medical marijuana is legal in DC for individuals 21 years of age or older; individuals can possess 2 ounces of less of marijuana for private use. More information about D.C.’s medical marijuana program can be found here.

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES Alaska

Both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in AK, thanks to an Alaska Supreme Court decision and a voter-approved ballot initiative, respectively. A person who is at least 21 years old can possess 1 oz. or less of marijuana. Information about the Medical Marijuana registry of Alaska can be found here.

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES Arizona

Medical marijuana was legalized by a voter-approved ballot measure in 2011. Arizonans can possess up to 2.5 oz. of usable marijuana. More information on medical marijuana in AZ is available here.

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES Arkansas

Medical marijuana was legalized by a voter-supported ballot initiative in November 2016. Qualified patients or designated caregivers can purchase up to 2.5 oz. from a dispensary every 14 days. More information is available from the Arkansas Department of Health here.

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES California

Both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in CA. In 1996, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana through a voter-supported ballot initiative. Adults over the age of 21 can possess up to 1 oz. of pot. More information about participating in California’s medical marijuana program is available through the California Department of Public Health.

MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES: Colorado

Both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in CO, thanks to voter-approved ballot initiatives. Coloradoans above the age of 21 can legally possess 1 oz. of marijuana. More information about Colorado’s medical marijuana program is available here.

Connecticut Joins MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES

The Connecticut State Senate legalized medical marijuana in 2012. Under the law, patients of at least 18 years of age can buy 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis a month.

Delaware Joins MARIJUANAS LEGAL STATES

Delaware’s state legislature legalized medical marijuana in 2011. A registered medical marijuana patient can possess six ounces of cannabis at once and obtain up to three ounces of marijuana every 14 days. More information about Delaware’s medical marijuana program is available here.

Florida Joins Marijuanas Legal States List

Florida’s voters approved a ballot measure legalizing medical cannabis in 2016. Patients can possess a limited supply (30-45 days worth) of medical or low-THC cannabis at once. More information about FL medical marijuana is here.

Hawaii Joins Marijuanas Legal States List

HI’s state legislature legalized medical cannabis in 2000, and patients can possess up to 4 oz of usable cannabis. More information about HI medical marijuana is here.

Illinois Joins Marijuanas Legal States List

IL legalized medical marijuana by state legislature in 2013; patients can possess 2.5 oz. of cannabis in a 14-day period. More information about IL medical marijuana programs are here.

Maine Joins Marijuanas Legal States List

Maine has legalized both recreational and medical marijuana. Medical marijuana was legalized through a ballot initiative in 1999, and voters recreational use was recently approved by a ballot measure in 2017. Persons above the age of 21 can own up to 2.5 oz. of marijuana for private use. More information on ME’s medical marijuana program is here.

Maryland added to Marijuanas Legal States List

Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2014 by state legislature. However, medical cannabis is not yet available in this state. More information on MD’s medical marijuana program is here.

Massachusetts

MA has legalized both recreational and medical marijuana. Medical marijuana was approved by the state legislature in 2012, and in 2017, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana by ballot measure. Adults 21 age or older can possess one ounce of cannabis outside of their residence and up to ten oz. of marijuana inside their residence. More information about MA’s medical marijuana program is here.

Michigan

Michigan voters approved a ballot measure in 2008 to legalize medical marijuana. Each patient can possess up to 2.5 oz. of marijuana. More information about the Michigan Medical Marihuana Program is here.

Minnesota

MN’s state legislature legalized cannabis in 2014. Each patient can have a 30-day supply of medication but smoking is not an approved method of use. More information about Minnesota’s Medical Marijuana program is here.

Montana

Montana legalized medical cannabis by ballot measure in 2004. Medical marijuana cardholders can possess up to 1 oz. of marijuana. More information about MT medical marijuana is here.

Nevada

Nevada has decriminalized both recreational and medical marijuana. NV approved medical marijuana by a ballot initiative in the late 1990s. Adults over the age of 21 can own up to 1 oz. of marijuana and up to 3.5 grams of cannabis concentrates. More information about NV’s medical marijuana program is here.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana by state legislature in 2013. Patients can possess up to 2 oz. of marijuana. More information about NH’s Therapeutic Cannabis Program is available here.

New Jersey

New Jersey legalized medical marijuana by state legislature in 2010. NJ patients are limited to 2 ounces in a 30 day period. More information about New Jersey’s medical marijuana program can be found here.

New Mexico

New Mexico legalized medical cannabis in 2007. Eight ounces are medical cannabis are available to patients over a 90 day period. To learn more about the medical cannabis program in NM, click here.

New York

New York’s state legislature legalized medical cannabis in 2014. A 30-day supply of non-smokable cannabis is available to patients. To learn more about the medical cannabis program in NY, click here.

North Dakota

North Dakota legalized medical cannabis by ballot initiative in 2016. Patients can obtain 3 oz. of medical cannabis. More information about medical marijuana in ND is available here.

Ohio

Ohio legalized medical cannabis by state legislature in 2016. Possession laws have not yet been specified. To learn more about medical marijuana practices in OH, click here.

Oregon

Both recreational and medical use of marijuana are decriminalized in Oregon. Medical marijuana became legal in 1998 thanks to a ballot initiative. Patients can own up to twenty-four ounces of cannabis. To learn more about medical marijuana programs in OR, click here.

Pennsylvania

Medical marijuana was approved by state legislature in PA in 2016. Only a 30-day supply is allowed, and no smoking of marijuana is permitted – only oils, topical creams, etc., are allowed. To learn about the medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania, click here.

Rhode Island

Medical marijuana was decriminalized in Rhode Island by state legislature in 2006. Patient can possess 2.5 ounces for private use in their home. To learn more about Rhode Island’s medical marijuana programs, click here.

Vermont

Medical marijuana was legalized in VT in 2004. Patients can be prescribed up to two ounces of usable marijuana to be used privately in their homes. To learn more about Vermont’s medical marijuana program, click here.

Washington

Both medical and recreational marijuana is legalized in Washington State. Medical cannabis became legal through a voter initiative in 1998. The medical marijuana patient registry program is voluntary but enables patients to own 3 ounces of useable marijuana, and provides restrictions on solid and liquid forms of marijuana products as well. To learn more about Washington’s medical marijuana program, click here.

West Virginia

Medical marijuana was legalized in WV by state legislature in 2017. Patients may be prescribed a 30-day supply of medications. To learn more about West Virginia’s Medical Marijuana Program, click here. While WV’s medical marijuana program is not currently operational yet, it enables patients to seek forms of marijuana for medical treatments that do not include smoking marijuana, such as oils, creams, pills, nebulizers, etc.